Black women in the United States disproportionately represent 64% of women with an HIV infection (CDC, 2013). Research is needed to better understand gender and culturally-specific factors that contribute to Black women’s HIV risk. The Theory of Gender and Power and the Theory of Planned behavior were used as theoretical frameworks in examining the effect of attitudinal beliefs (gender related beliefs), subjective norm beliefs (peer norms), and perceived behavioral control beliefs (relationship power) on sexual behavior in Black college women. Condom use and assertiveness in sexual communication were the dependent variables. Participants included 136 Black college women recruited through the department of psychology’s subject pool and as student volunteers. Results revealed peer norms as a significant predictor of condom use, and agency and gender ratio imbalance beliefs as significant predictors of perceived relationship power. Findings have implications for understanding social and gender related factors for HIV prevention among Black women.

Condom trace evidence must not be overlooked in sexual assault cases; understanding the chemical and physical characteristics of condoms is imperative if condoms are to be useful evidence. Previous research shows that condom identification is possible, but it is equally important to evaluate durability of condom residues versus time. Using FT-IR, this study examined vaginal swabs from subjects who self-sampled at intervals for up to 72 hours after having intercourse with a condom. This study investigated whether age and the stage of the menstrual cycle affected the durability of residues in the vagina over time. This study revealed that condoms containing nonoxynol-9, silicone-based lubricants, and particulates provide valuable information for identification, and that nonoxynol-9 specifically withstands the vaginal environment for up to 72 hours. Additionally, age and menstrual cycle both appeared to have an effect on the durability of residues although larger sample size is desirable.

Bolivia has a high STI rate and an accelerating HIV/AIDS rate. The majority of the country's newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases come from the province of Santa Cruz in eastern Bolivia, where this study took place. In this study, the investigator assessed the notion that Bolivian truck drivers are a bridge population of HIV transmission within heterosexual networks. This investigation determined risks of HIV/STI transmission through interviews, surveys, and workshops given to the truck drivers. Special attention was given to self reports of sexual behavior, cognitions and ego maturation stages, in order to assess risk. Mixed methodology was the research paradigm of choice, utilizing qualitative and quantitative phases. Workshops were designed, implemented, and evaluated. Analysis was completed on survey results from 246 male truckers (aged 18 to 67). More than half (56%) of these truckers admitted to having sex with casual partners. In addition, from 30% (quantitative inquiry) to 52% (qualitative inquiry) of these truck drivers have had sexually transmitted infections. Three factors predicted condom use: Age, Outcome expectancies, and Perceived social norms. Only one factor predicted STI history: Number of sex partners. Adult stage theory did not directly impact sexual behavior. A high risk of HIV/STI transmission has been detected in Bolivian truck drivers. This notion supports other studies involving truck drivers, and calls attention to the need for tailored health education programs for this population. Furthermore, younger truck drivers are at greater risk of HIV transmission than older truck drivers, in spite of their increased condom use. Sexual health workshops for Bolivian truck drivers are worthwhile and can be most effective when co-managed with truck companies or unions. Counseling, testing, and follow up research programs can best be implemented through these already-existing management structures. Future programs need to emphasize other behaviors besides condom use. Workshops should also include truckers' spouses as participants. Lastly, since casual sex partners of truck drivers rarely fit the mold of a commercial sex worker, effort should be made to describe these casual partners and design subsequent workshops for them.

Studies on sexual behaviour in Nigeria have rather been lopsided largely focussing on adolescents while neglecting the older men. This may not be unconnected with the fact that the young people are often seen as being more sexually active than the older men. In this study, the patterns and the determinants of sexual behaviour of middle-aged men were investigated. This study is based on secondary data analysis of the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey male dataset. Data collected from a sample of 633 men whose ages fall between 40 and 59 years in Nigeria were extracted and analysed to achieve the set objectives. The variables of interest were analysed by using relevant statistical techniques with the aid of SAS enterprise guide. Sexual behaviour was measured by three variables namely: current sexual activity, extra marital partnership and condom use. Also, three hypotheses were tested. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the theoretical model used for this study. The study shows that a high proportion of men (71.2%) aged 40-59 years in Nigeria are sexually active. The study further reveals that about 12% of Nigerian middle-aged men engage in extramarital sex and 30% are in polygynous relationships (i.e. have multiple sex partners) while condom use is very low among them. Extramarital sex is more prevalent in the rural (7.05%) than urban (4.5%) areas. The study shows that the correlates of current sexual activity among the middle-aged men in Nigeria are education and religion while engagement in extramarital sexual activity is determined by ethnicity, age at first intercourse and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Among the sexually active ones, condom use is influenced by ethnicity, marriage type and extramarital partnership. The sexual behaviour of middle-aged men in Nigeria follows the pattern described in the HBM. That is, individual, socio-economic and HIV/AIDS factors can influence the sexual behaviour of Middle-aged men. The study concludes that in addressing the problems associated with sexual and reproductive health of Nigerian, focus should also be extended to middle-aged men, instead of the narrow focus on only adolescents and youths. Further investigation, using multiple methods of data collection is also suggested.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:21:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silvia rodrigues.pdf: 7181678 bytes, checksum: 9863cd6581b01a299bf7d4d4b1d0b58c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-06-26 / There is a dispersive thinking about closed plots of lands and residential condominiums which are types of new configurations in the Brazilian territory. The objective of this work is analyzes the kinds of homes in condominiums, closed between wall. It presents milestones of all the home condominiums implementations in S?o Jos? do Rio Preto city. The main goal is to analyze the increasing growing of closed plots and residential condominiums implementation mainly in the 90?s, which are the main economic groups playing in the city, how these entrepreneurs achieved the real estate market of closed plots and residential condominiums, what is the government role and how it contributes for the implementation of these units. It also identifies the relation between the government and the real estate agents and discus the changes in the regulatory laws to benefit the residents and real estate agents. It analyzes some theoretical reflections in order to go deeper into the understanding of the social and territorial complex impacts, caused by the implementation of closed plots and residential condominiums. / Reflex?o sobre loteamentos fechados e condom?nios residenciais, que s?o tipos das novas configura??es e se d?o de forma dispersa no territ?rio. Este trabalho busca analisar esses tipos de moradia de forma condominial, fechada entre muros. Apresenta o hist?rico de implanta??o de todos os conjuntos residenciais na cidade de S?o Jos? do Rio Preto. O principal objetivo ? analisar a crescente expans?o da implanta??o de loteamentos fechados e condom?nios residenciais (principalmente na d?cada de 90), quais os principais grupos econ?micos que atuam na cidade e de que forma esses empreendedores chegaram ao mercado imobili?rio de loteamentos e condom?nios residenciais, e qual ? a participa??o do poder p?blico e de que forma ele contribui para a implanta??o desses conjuntos. O trabalho tamb?m identifica a rela??o entre o poder p?blico e os agentes imobili?rios e a troca na legisla??o para favorecimento de moradores e empreendedores imobili?rios. H? an?lise de algumas reflex?es te?ricas a fim de aprofundar os entendimentos sobre os impactos sociais e territoriais, mais complexos, causados pela implanta??o de loteamentos fechados e condom?nios residenciais.

School-based sexual health education is commonly used to promote the sexual health of young people and guide them in their relationships. This thesis reports on research that aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations to optimise the effectiveness of school-based sexual health education in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). There are six chapters in the thesis. Chapter 1 introduces the thesis, Chapters 2 to 5 consist of four empirical studies, and Chapter 6 provides an overall discussion and looks at the strengths, limitations, and implications of the findings. Chapter 2 is a systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based sexual health education in sSA. It provides some evidence of the interventions in promoting self-reported condom use. However, it shows there are no harmful or beneficial effects with respect to sexually transmitted infections (STI) as evidenced by biomarkers. It highlights the paucity of evaluated interventions using biomedical markers, and reports on the process of evaluation, which limits our understanding of why interventions work or do not work. Features associated with effective interventions are noted. Chapter 3 is a case study involving MEMA Kwa Vijana, an adolescent sexual and reproductive health intervention implemented in Tanzania. This study highlights the influence of structural factors in schools and wider environmental factors on the effectiveness of school-based sexual health interventions. Furthermore, it identifies the social and cultural factors that influence young people’s sexual behaviours and that must be addressed beyond the education and health sectors. Chapter 4 is a multiple case study of seven school-based sexual health interventions implemented in five sub-Saharan African countries. It 4 identifies the design, implementation, and evaluation features that differentiate between effective and ineffective interventions. Chapter 5 is a qualitative study of researchers’ experiences of school-based sexual health education in sSA. This study extends previous work by generating a set of valuable recommendations based on researchers’ experiences of interventions that could improve future interventions in sSA. Overall, this research project demonstrates the potential of school-based sexual health education in promoting sexual health and preventing STIs in sSA. It provides a series of recommendations for the design, implementation, and evaluation of school-based sexual health interventions.

Orientador: Maria Cristina Pereira Lima / Banca: Renata Cruz Soares de Azevedo / Banca: Marli Terezinha Cassamassimo Duarte / Resumo: Estudantes universitários representam um grupo vulnerável aos comportamentos sexuais de risco, na medida em que estão adentrando o mundo dos adultos, estão iniciando sua vida sexual, muitas vezes deixando a casa dos pais pela primeira vez, e estão especialmente expostos a substâncias que aumentam este risco como, por exemplo, o álcool. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a vulnerabilidade sexual entre universitários da área de saúde a partir dos comportamentos sexuais relatados por estes, em particular o uso de preservativos. Trata-se de estudo transversal, com amostra de 695 universitários de cursos da saúde, de ambos os sexos de uma cidade no interior do Estado de São Paulo. Os dados foram coletados a partir de questionários auto preenchidos aplicados nas salas de aula e de atividades. A média de idade foi de 22,1 anos, com predomínio de mulheres (67,3%), pessoas que se autodeclararam da cor branca (78,2%) e solteiros (96,4%). Dos entrevistados, 85,9% referiram já ter iniciado a vida sexual, sendo que 95,6% se declararam heterossexuais. O método anticoncepcional mais utilizado na última relação sexual foram as pílulas anticoncepcionais (57,6%), seguida do preservativo masculino (52,5%). O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas antecedendo as relações sexuais dos últimos dois meses foi relatado por 43,9% dos alunos. O uso do preservativo em todas as relações dos últimos dois meses foi relatada por 42,4%, a respeito do uso na última relação, isto foi 45,0%. No modelo final de regressão logística apenas idade, sexo, beber problemático e o uso de álcool precedendo as relações sexuais dos últimos dois meses permaneceram como fatores associados ao não uso consistente de preservativos. Esta pesquisa aponta a necessidade de implementar políticas públicas que abordem riscos diversos e interligados, como o beber problemático e o baixo uso de preservativos. Tais políticas são necessárias mesmo entre populações ... / Abstract: College students are a vulnerable group in relation to risk sexual behavior, in that they are entering the adult world, starting their sex life, often leaving the parental home for the first time, and are specially exposed to substances that increase this risk, for example, alcohol. The aim of this study was to assess sexual vulnerability among health area students by their sexual behavior selfreported, in particular the use of condoms. A sample of 695 students have participated of this cross-sectional study carried out in a University in São Paulo state. Data were collected from self-administered questionnaire in classrooms and activities. Medium age of students was 22.1 years old. Majority of students was women (67.3%), white (78.2%) and single (96.4%). Of the respondents, 85.9% reported already having begun their sexual life, and 95.6% reported they were heterosexual. The most widely used contraceptive method at last intercourse was oral contraceptives (57.6%), followed by the male condom (52.5%). The consumption of alcoholic beverages preceding intercourse the last two months was reported by 43.9% of students. The use of condoms in all the relations of the past two months was reported by 42.4%, regards the most recent intercourse it was 45.0%. In the final logistic regression model only age, sex, problematic drinking and alcohol use preceding sex the past two months remained associated with inconsistent condom use factors. This research points to the need to implement public policies dealing with various risks and interlinked, as problematic drinking and low condom use. Such policies are necessary even among populations who should present high knowledge about the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and the use contraceptive methods, as college students of health area / Mestre

The incidence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is highest in the southern states of the United States (US), with adolescents in this region being one of the most affected populations in the country. A limited amount of information is available on adolescent HIV risk behaviors in the southern states, specifically focusing on race and gender. The purpose of this study was to use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Youth Risk Behaviors Survey (YRBS) for high school students in the southern states for 2011 and 2013 to examine the influence of race and gender on 1) early sexual initiation, 2) number of sexual partners, and 3) condom use. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression was used for the analysis. A total of 6,244 (6.7%) students reported early sexual initiation, 13,121 (14.1%) reported having multiple sex partners, and 11,820 (41.1%) reported condom use in southern states for 2011 and 2013. Minority males were greater than 10 times more likely to engage in early sexual initiation compared to white females (OR-10.40; 95% Confidence Interval (CI)-9.03-11.98). Minorities and males were more likely to have multiple sex partners compared to whites and females (OR- 1.84; CI-1.73-1.95, OR-2.20; CI-2.07-2.34, respectively). Minority males were over 2 times more likely to use condoms compared to white females (OR-2.04; CI-1.87-2.23). There was a statistically significant association between the three sexual health behaviors and psychosocial factors, such as dating violence, forced sex, body weight perception, and substance use before sex. Gender and race along with psychosocial factors were associated with HIV risk behaviors for high school students in the southern states. These preliminary findings could potentially be used to target HIV/AIDS awareness and preventative actions to populations affected by the HIV burden in the southern states.

Background- Bullying victimization, both physical and electronic, has been associated with health risk behaviors such as smoking and substance use; and chronic conditions such as obesity, depression and sleep disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between bullying victimization and risky sexual behavior. Failure to use condom in last sexual intercourse was used as an indicator of engagement in risky sexual activities. Methods- Data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a biennial nationally representative survey of 9-12 grade students (N=15,624) were used. After cleaning and re-coding the data set, a total of 5,037 students who reported ever having sex in their lifetime were included in the analyses. The explanatory variable included in the multiple logistic regression analysis was bullying victimization. Marijuana use and feeling of sadness or hopelessness in a row for two weeks or more during past twelvemonths were included as covariates. The analyses were adjusted for age and race, and odds ratios were stratified by gender. Results- No significant association was found between being a bullying victim at school property and not using condom in last sexual intercourse for both male (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.71-1.65) and female (OR: 0.98, 95% CI:0.65-1.47) students. This finding was consistent for both male (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 0.89-3.65) and female (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.70-1.55) victims of electronic bullying. Failure to use condom in last sexual intercourse was found to be associated with male students who were sad or hopeless in a row for two weeks or more during past 12 months (OR: 1.49,95% CI: 1.13-1.96). Conclusions- Failure to use condom in last sexual intercourse was not found to be significantly associated with bullying victimization. Other risky sexual behaviors such as having multiple sex partners, use of protective methods other than condom and use of drugs or alcohol before engaging into sexual relationship should be examined in further studies.

One in every 4 people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are women. The leading cause of infection is heterosexual contact. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationship between gender ratio perception and masculine ideology and a woman's decision to use condoms during her sexual activity. The theory of gender and power and the theory of planned behavior served as the theoretical frameworks for this study. The perceptions of gender ratios, as measured by the Gender Ratio Imbalance Beliefs and Behaviors Scale (GRIBBS) subscale, GRIBeliefs, and masculine ideologies, as measured by the Gender Role Beliefs Scale (GRBS), served as independent variables, while condom use behaviors, as measured by the Gender Ratio Imbalance Beliefs and Behaviors Scale (GRIBBS) subscale, GRIBehaviors, served as the dependent variable. Covariates included demographic factors, as well as behavioral factors. A purposeful, convenience sample (n=55) via the Walden University research pool was utilized, enabling researchers to use readily available data that represented college educated women. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, correlational analysis, as well as multiple linear regression were used to examine the aforementioned perceptions of study participants. Correlation analyses and multiple regression indicated no statistically significant correlations between gender ratio imbalance, masculine ideology, and condom use, while controlling for race, employment status, religion, religious devoutness, sexual orientation, relationship status, STD history (self), and partner STD history. Social change is indicated via the results illustrating the possible empowerment of women regarding their sexual health.